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The coach of India A, Lalchand Rajput, was optimistic that his batsmen need to apply themselves for the better results against bowling attack of West Indies A.

Cheteshwar Pujara - The skipper and only consistent batsman in the series

The batsmen of India A are struggling in the ongoing series except their skipper, Cheteshwar Pujara has impressed with his consistent performance. Pujara scored 50 and unbeaten 96 runs in the first unofficial Test played at Barbados which India A won by two wickets. He managed his third fifty of the series by managing 67 runs in the first innings of the second unofficial Test followed by one run in the second as the hosts won the second game. Most of their players have represented India and has been doing well in the domestic competition and the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2012.

Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary are the pillars of their batting in the present line up which is visiting West Indies. The highlights of their career, IPL 2012 and on this trip are as under:

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Gurunath Sharma has played 48 first class matches and has smashed 3879 runs at a super average of 61.57, the best of unbeaten 309 with 12 centuries and 17 fifties.

The 25-year-old represented Mumbai Indians in the IPL2012, scored 433 runs averaging 30.92, the best of unbeaten 109 with 3 fifties.

Sharma scored 94 and 23 runs in the first unofficial Test against West Indies A, and managed 1 and 13 runs in the second match.

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane appeared in 52 first class games and hammered 4890 runs at an awesome average of 65.20, the best of unbeaten 265 with the assistance of 18 hundreds and even fifties.

The 24-year-old was a member of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2012, thrashed 560 runs and held a healthy average of 40.00, the best of unbeaten 103 which comprised 3 fifties.

Rahane was unable to perform well on the current tour and scored 0 and 5 runs in the first match followed by 18 and 5 in the second unofficial Test vs. West Indies.

Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Kumar Tiwary has played 56 first class matches, piled up 4241 runs averaging 58.90, the best of 267 with 16 centuries and 10 fifties.

Tiwary was a proud member of the IPL 2012 winners, Kolkata Knight Riders and contributed 260 runs at an average of 26.00 with the best of 59.

The 26-year-old scored 40 and 5 runs in the first unofficial Test, 23 and 20 runs in the second match.

Lalchand Rajput was concerned about the performance of the top three batsmen in the two unofficial Tests. He advised them to get themselves accustomed with the tracks available in West Indies if they want to continue at the international level. He said,

“Rohit, Rahane and Tiwary did fall prey to balls that just kept really low. The two tracks so far have been really challenging for the boys. If these boys have to succeed at the highest level, they have to be ready for such things.”

Abhinav Mukund and Shikhar Dhawan have opened the innings for India A during the series and they provided a start of 0, 4, 1 and 14 in the four innings which resulted in a lot of pressure on the incoming batsmen. Rajput commented on the performance of the openers by saying,

“It is very important for the openers to score. They have not clicked so far. We have the best batting line-up possible here and these boys have the ability to do well.”

Lalchand Rajput was confident that India A batsmen are capable of bouncing back in the series while using their batting techniques with determination. He further commented,

“Once they spend more time, the runs will start to come, there is no fault in their technique. Just a matter of application.”

The unofficial Test match series between India A and West Indies A is levelled at 1-1 after two matches and the fate of the series will be decided after the third match which will commence from June 16, 2012 at Gros Islet.